A passionate Montreal Canadiens’ fan and avid hockey player, the late Cpl. Andrew Grenon would’ve approved of the choice to honour his memory by naming a community rink at the WFCU Centre after him.

Grenon, of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was the only local soldier killed during the nation’s involvement in the Afghanistan conflict when he was one of three Canadian soldiers to die in a Taliban ambush Sept. 3, 2008.

“When one of the arenas was mentioned, it just couldn’t be a more appropriate remembrance for Andrew,” said Grenon’s mother Theresa Charbonneau following the official unveiling of three plaques at the rink Thursday.

“He spent 10 years of his life playing hockey. He loved every minute of it.

“As we were preparing for last night’s game, I was thinking to myself how appropriate it would be for Montreal to win the night before today. I know Andrew was sitting watching that game with us.

“It was pretty cool.”

Grenon wasn’t alone in being honoured for his ultimate sacrifice.

The second community rink will now be called the Corporal A.P. Grenon and Canadian Veterans Memorial Rink.

Charbonneau added a number of options were considered for the memorial, but a building filled with the joyful sounds of children struck at the heart of why Grenon was so passionate about his duty in Afghanistan.

A passion laid out in the final lines of a 2006 poem he wrote on why it was necessary to be in that wartorn country.

As the tarps came off the plaques, an emotional Charbonneau ran her hand over her son’s name as tears filled her eyes. Windsor mayor Eddie Francis also gave the family a replica plaque to take home.

“I just didn’t expect that (huge sign on the end wall of the rink above the scoreboard),” said Charbonneau, who was accompanied by her husband Michael and son Matthew at the ceremony. “It’s overwhelming.

“Andrew is smiling his biggest smile, I know. For the city to remember him, period, and for the city to name a hockey rink (after him) that he spent so many happy hours on is just so fitting.

“We’re so grateful.”

Matthew Charbonneau said he hoped by having the memorial in so public a place, it will give people a moment’s pause to think about all veterans.

“I’m glad my brother’s sacrifice and the sacrifices made by all Canadian veterans are being recognized formally at this place where many people will come and be given opportunities to reflect on what Canadian veterans have done,” Matthew Charbonneau said.

Theresa Charbonneau said the tribute is the continuation of the big embrace her family has felt from the community since her son’s death.

“Windsor is a phenomenal city,” Charbonneau said. “It was proven to us at Andrew’s funeral that week.

“In the 51/2 years that have gone by, we still get remembered. We still get asked about Andrew.

“The hurt doesn’t go away; it’s just a little less acute.”

In addition to the family and the city dignitaries in attendance, there were several officials from the Canadian military and veteran groups present.

Honorary Colonel Hardy Wheeler of the Essex and Kent Scottish regiment said such memorials carry great significance for veterans.

Wheeler commended the city for being the first in Canada to have the dates of the Afghan campaign already etched on Windsor’s cenotaph.

“It’s important for soldiers because we’re told to go and all we ask in return is a thank you,” Wheeler said. “The naming of this rink, the cenotaph and the proposed monument going into Reaume Park are all civic thank yous. It’s not lost on us, that’s for sure.”

Theresa Charbonneau, Matthew Charbonneau and Mike Charbonneau (left to right) look at the name plaque during the unveiling of the newly named Corporal AF Grenon and Canadian Veterans Memorial Arena at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, May 15, 2014. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Theresa Charbonneau is photographed on the ice during the unveiling of the newly named Corporal AF Grenon and Canadian Veterans Memorial Arena at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, May 15, 2014. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Mayor Eddie Francis, Theresa Charbonneau and Matthew Charbonneau (left to right) unveil a name plaque during the unveiling of the newly named Corporal AF Grenon and Canadian Veterans Memorial Arena at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, May 15, 2014. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

Mayor Eddie Francis presents Theresa Charbonneau with her own name plaque during the unveiling of the newly named Corporal AF Grenon and Canadian Veterans Memorial Arena at the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Thursday, May 15, 2014. (TYLER BROWNBRIDGE/The Windsor Star)

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